(Devil Underworld: Sitri Territory)
"Finally here." He said as he finished his flash movement, standing on a Reishi platform above the main residence of the Sitri clan. The Sitri territory was one of the few that he genuinely liked among the Devils home, putting much effort into looking like a verdant paradise due to the Sitri's many nature preserves. Most of his more enjoyable dates with Serafall consisted of walks and picnics in one of the many parks and forests of the Sitri, the rest was binge watching anime whenever they could get away from the formal parties the rest of the nobility put on. "Let's see... Serafall, Sona's Peerage, the lord and lady, and their staff." Ichigo whispered after sending out a Pesquisa pulse, then sent out another but enhanced to identify surveillance spells and bugs. "Nothing here to spy on us. Good to know." He whispered before flashing again, now standing atop a gate at the entrance of the main residence, where the Sitri family seemed to be teasing their heiress.
"-saying, that Issei fellow really proved himself fighting Riser." Said Serafall, dressed business casual with a dark green button up shirt and a knee length skirt. "Who's to say you wouldn't fall for your pawn the same way?" She teased, earning an annoyed blush from her sister while Saji was drifting to cloud nine, grinning like an idiot.
"I would certainly appreciate it if he did gain your favor as a suitor." Said a man in a blue suit with neat black hair and square glasses standing next to a lovely woman with long black hair wearing an aqua blue dress, the current heads of the family, Lord Sitri. "Part of your duties as the future head of the family is the continuation of the bloodline. You won the right to decide your own husband Sona, but keep this in mind. Serafall, your older sister, is getting married soon." He put a heavy emphasis on the Satan, hoping that it was clear they didn't have much hope of their eldest ever settling down. "Not only that, but is forming a union that will be a great asset to both our family and Devil society if even half the things I heard from that Captain Urahara is true."
"Do me a favor and try to be content with a tenth Lord Sitri." Ichigo said as he revealed his presence and surprising Saji since the rest of the Sitri household were already used to the Soul Reaper. "Until the Old Satan Faction is removed, I intend to be very miserly with what the Gotei can offer the Devils." The Captain Commander said as he floated down to the ground.
"Unfortunate, but fair." The Devil patriarch admitted. "And Ichigo, I do hope you'll start calling me 'father' in the near future."
"We'll see, but for now," Ichigo said before wrapping an arm around Serafall's waist and pulling her close to him, "I need to plan out how to keep a promise to my lovely fiancee. If you don't mind, I'll need a space to focus on training Sona's peerage. A radius of a few dozen miles minimum should suffice." Serafall blushed and wrapped her arms around his waist, Saji looking on in longing as he imagined him and Sona in that same position.
"Easy to do, I'll have my people scout out a good spot." Lord Sitri said. Ichigo thought that anything else could wait until after he has his meeting with the other factions. He and Serafall were about to flash away when- "One more thing, I've read the contract Serafall wrote up." the Sitri head said, causing the two to pause. Only the heads of the family and the betrothed couple knew all the details of the contract, leaving Sona and her peerage in the dark. Serafall tightened her hold slightly, concerned about the direction this might go. "Please understand that any child you two make will be part of the Sitri pillar, I also offer the protection that can provide."
"What he means is, 'Please let me see my grandchildren so I can spoil them rotten.'" Lady Sitri said with a smile, causing her husband to glow red with embarrassment while he adjusted his glasses in an effort to cover his face. This caused the two to sigh, the tension fading away as the matter was less serious than the expected.
"Don't hold your breath you two," Ichigo dryly said, "I know the Devils' abysmal birth rate and I don't make it a habit to sire children when conflict is on the horizon."
"Which just means we'll have to beat the Khaos Brigade as soon as possible!" Serafall added with a smile. "But till then, I'm looking forward to enjoying ourselves." She finished, grabbing a handful of Ichigo's ass. The hybrid didn't react as the pair disappeared with his Godspeed.
(Devil Capital: Lilith. Main HQ)
It took a single instant for the pair to appear high above the capital city of Devil territory and another to make their way to the building where the four Satans dictated the course of their species, a large three story building four extensions at the corners to serve as the wings for their other duties while the central building was the management center of the realm. One quick Pesquisa told Ichigo that the other Satans and Michael were already there, Azazel was the only one not in attendance.
"I only just got word from Grayfia that they arrived at home and that Azazel is heading here now." Sirzechs told them after they went inside to get the current news. The meeting room was gigantic and had a large rectangular table that was usually used for the meetings with the various other leaders of the Devils, but today's meeting was in the lounge section with a large glass coffee table with a set of recliners and sofas. "We probably should've told him how fast you can be." Ichigo merely sighed, walked to a window, opened it, and flashed away. Ten seconds later, he was back with the Fallen Angel slung over his shoulder.
"There. Let's get this meeting started." The Shogun said before tossing Azazel onto one of the sofas.
"Ugh... why the rough treatment?" The leader of the Fallen groaned out as he sat himself upright while everyone else took a seat.
"Because I have more work to do back home because of a certain Dragon King."
"I heard about that. Is Tiamat now moving to Soul Society permanently?" Sirzechs asked as all eyes went to the hybrid.
"Not entirely sure, but I'm going to find out eventually." Ichigo reached into his Shihakusho and pulled out a sealed wooden case, placed it on the table, and unfolded the lid. Inside were clear plastic discs with spots of white fluff covering a red gel, a series of tube vials with the same white fluff, and a small SD card with a skull on it. "Here you are. Surveillance bacteria cultures and plug that card into your phone to download the program to link to them." Ajuka was the first to reach into the case, pulling out the data card. "No offense to the rest of you, but only Ajuka will be using that card. When I return, I'll have a version for Michael and Azazel since this batch is mainly for Devils."
"Understood." The smartest Devil relented before pulling out a stack of papers. "Here's a list of names affiliated with the Great King Faction of the Devils and their usual routes." Ichigo took the list and looked over the pages of names.
"This could take a while and I'm going to need some good cover," the Shogun told them, "a particularly interesting and intense Rating Game would be the best choice."
"A few names come to mind." Sirzechs said. "My sister, Sona, and my cousin Sairaorg being the most promising teams. The question is what kind of match should they have."
"Something that can take a while but still exciting enough to hold the focus of the crowd." Falbium said, already trying to think of a proper match to use for Ichigo's cover. Pretty soon the Satans and Azazel started brainstorming ideas for the match, something Ichigo felt confident he could leave in their care.
"I think I'll return to Soul Society now." He said as he stood up and began walking away, taking the case of bacteria cultures with him. "When do you need me to return?"
"There will be a gathering of the various young heirs of Devil society in about... three days?" Serafall said, looking to Ajuka for confirmation and getting a nod in return. "Yeah, three days in the old capital of Lucifaad. Mostly for the elders and the Satans, but we can definitely get you to join in. Especially since you'll be my husband~." She added with a wink that generated a pink heart. Everyone just looked at her before Ichigo turned, opened a Garganta portal, and walked right through.
(Soul Society)
"I'm back, what's there to do?" Ichigo asked as he walked through the tear in space and returned to his office, finding Nagao at his desk sorting through reports and other paperwork.
"Need your signature on a few budgetary reports, proposed training missions into the Living World, and to deal with the Dragon Tiamat, who is currently at the hot springs at Squad 4." She quickly reported, setting the stacks apart for him to go through later. "She seems content with enjoying her bath at the moment, though she is waiting for you sir."
"Thank you Kagetora." He said, moving to his desk and settling in to get through some of his paperwork. "I'll try to put a dent in this before going to talk with her." Ichigo also reached out to his computer and began typing away a message to Squad 12, requesting an Angel variant of the surveillance bacteria.
(Squad 4 Hot springs)
"Excuse me? Lady Tiamat?" A random female voice called out to the dragon's human form as she laid in the water. She was a breathtaking and ethereal beauty with icy blue hair that reached to her legs, gaining a darker shade the further it went, and vibrant piercing rose pink eyes. The hot springs were an open air bath in a stone pool with a high bamboo fence, the water steaming from the heat and carrying the heavy scent of herbs meant to relax and rejuvenate. "Commander Kurosaki has returned to Soul Society and is trying to catch up to his work."
"Thank you for telling me. I can wait." She responded while allowing herself to sink into the water, moaning in delight as it consumed her in a warming embrace. Her mind drifted back to the past few minutes she came to Soul Society; how everyone freaked out over her being naked in public, forced a yukata onto her for 'public decency', and then showed her all the various baths they offered and insisted she enjoy herself. Dressed for all of five minutes before shedding that robe and soaking in the bath. It was pointless in her opinion, but the bath was making up for it.
First was the cleaning process where a few servants, she assumed anyway, came with her to help her clean. She could easily use magic to clean away any dirt and grime that got on her, but there was something soothing about having attendants getting those hard to reach places and helping with her long hair. It reminded her of a time long since passed when her family was more whole, before her children struck her and her lover down to claim dominion of their realm. Now thinking about the past, her mind sank further into the ocean of her memories. The vast chaos of the old world, the frail new souls before they became Gods and Dragons, the primordial Hollows that devoured everything in their wake-
'And then you became the first protector.' She thought, reaching up from the water to the skies above where the Royal Realm resides. 'The rest of us Gods and Dragons followed your example but by the time our siblings gained enough strength to join you in that mission, you had already allowed yourself to be condemned to that hellish fate.' Her arm fell limp, making a light splash in the water, as she continued to wonder. 'Why did you let it happen? Why didn't you fight back and become our sole king? Guess I'll find out soon enough.' She decided as she spied Ichigo standing above her with his hand stretched out to her. She took it and was gently pulled up from the water, finding the hybrid standing head and shoulders above her as he was floating on top of the spring's surface.
"How was the bath?" He asked her as she got to her feet. "You certainly had long enough to form an opinion." Tiamat took a breath, turning the moisture clinging to her body to steam as she released it.
"It was lovely." She admitted as she moved to get out. "I'm told there are many more, but they can wait till later. Were you waiting long?"
"I actually finished two minutes ago, but you've been soaking for two hours." He said, not surprising the Dragon in the slightest.
"I see." She said, picking up a pale blue yukata decorated with pink water lilies. "Being so close to my brother brought back some old memories." She slipped the robe on, before turning back to the hybrid. "I'm ready. Bring me to him." The two held their gaze for a moment before Ichigo looked up to the Royal Realm and snapped his fingers. Almost instantly the presence of the Soul King that seemed muffled and distant became as clear as day for Tiamat, bringing a calm and nostalgic smile to the Dragon's face.
"Now, hang on." Ichigo said as he walked over to Tiamat and picked her up in a princess carry, flashing away before she could say anything.
(Soul Society: Royal Palace)
It was a tranquil scene, a cylindrical temple surrounded by thick stone walls floating high above a vast empty disc platform in the midst of the endless sky. Within that temple was a single room occupied by a pale man with slicked back black hair dressed in a simple robe sitting on a throne of crystal, resting as he waited for something to happen. By his side was a white broadsword with black spots, a katana, and a large calligraphy brush. Three extremely powerful weapons reserved only for his bodyguard and himself, akin to Longinus Sacred Gears in those hands. They, however, paled in comparison to the god himself, a being whose abilities were named as 'Almighty'. His eyes slowly opened, revealing four pupils and irises in each eye, as Ichigo and Tiamat appeared before him.
"Lady Tiamat, your highness." Ichigo introduced as Tiamat approached the Soul King and knelt in respect.
"It has been a long time since I saw you alive, my dear brother." She said with a smile, looking up to her kin who returned it.
(It has indeed, but I see you've lost much of your power since then.) The Soul King responded, speaking in something that felt ancient that his guard couldn't comprehend, as if it was from before the concept of words and language. Tiamat paused for a moment, as if trying to remember it herself, before responding in kind.
(Yes, I'm sorry to admit, but I had to lose much of my power to hide myself away.) She explained to her brother. (After your imprisonment and the chaos settling, we tried to live in peace, but each pantheon was rife with infighting and rebellions. My own children betrayed and killed me.)
(And thus all the 'primordial' gods went into slumber or hiding, crippling their powers after their revivals in order to hide.) The Soul King finished. (Just as I had foreseen.) Tiamat's head snapped up in surprise.
(You saw this?) She asked in shock. (Most of us assumed there was a reason on why you allowed that, but you saw it coming? Why not stop it!? Why not take your place as our king back then!? We grew stronger, we could've helped you fight the Hollows, or seal-!) She was shouting before a terrifying pressure silenced her.
(This was the best option.) The Soul King said with absolute authority before the pressure faded. (I see everything, all things that currently are and everything that could be. So, Tiamat, understand that I did not accept my prison lightly.) The Dragon bowed her head in submission, memories of him destroying hordes of Menos with ease flooding her mind while her brother explained his decision all those millennia ago. (Of all the paths I saw, only the ones where I was sealed showed me the greatest number of our kin surviving. The odds of my hellish torment were as close to a guarantee as you could get, but I was willing to make that sacrifice because I wanted to protect you. The other options were; eternally fighting the Hollows as I step back, I continue to fight alone since I was the one that could, or all of Creation ending up destroyed due to the disruption of the balance.)
(Were we truly so weak in your eyes brother? That you would rather suffer than let us join you in battle?) She asked, feeling betrayed and saddened.
(I'm no king Tiamat, not in the sense of a leader. I am a protector, always have been and always will be.) The Soul King answered, returning to a gentle tone. (My only concern has been the well being of our kin and this new world made from my sacrifice.) Tiamat rose to her feet, turning her gaze on the Soul King. (That said, considering how the other gods have been trying to run the world, maybe I should take over.) This caught goddess's attention.
(What do you mean brother?) She asked, earning a glare from the Soul King.
(Don't play ignorance Tiamat. Pretty much each pantheon has a list of ways they've screwed things up.) He said, holding up a finger. (All the infighting within each group and all the damages they've caused. Hell was sealed and the Hollows concentrated to a single region, you finally had peace and nearly all of you turned your fangs on each other for dominion of your new homes. Babylon, Egypt, Greece, Mesoamerica, Norse, too much internal conflict when you should have come together to make what happened to me unnecessary. And that's not even going into how too many prove themselves to be embarrassments to the praise and worship they've been given.)
(Ishtar, for starters, stormed the Underworld to claim all three realms and unleashed Gugalana just because Gilgamesh rejected her. Greedy, arrogant, and vain. Odin, in his paranoia and delusions to prevent their apocalypse, only guaranteed it would happen by making enemies of those foretold to kill him. I could spend all day listing the faults of the Olympians with Zeus needing one for himself alone. I could go on, but you get the idea by now I hope.) He listed off, making Tiamat flinch a little each time. (Most of them have improved and mellowed out, but I see that arrogance still seethes within them. Particularly that brat Indra, seeking to claim all the world and the heavens under his authority. He'll receive a reminder of where he stands eventually. Yahweh tried, but his favoritism to humanity and neglect to consider envy and jealousy caused the Fallen and the Devils to come from his Angels and formed a three way civil war that turned him into a tyrant. The next one will be better, I'll see to it.) He lowered his hand and leaned forward, keeping his gaze on the Dragon. (But the past is the past and we should look to the future, using the experience of the past to make better decisions. Which leads to why you're even here Tiamat. What are your goals from here on?) She thought for a moment before meeting her brother's gaze.
(The status quo of the world is changing, that much is apparent even to those of us that secluded ourselves. Eventually there will be no true bystanders, only sides and I'd rather be on the one with the greatest chance of success. I still remember that there were others that were around your level, but none have your foresight. As such, my powers will be yours to command. I have but a simple request in exchange. Over the millennia I've come to identify more with the Dragons than with the other Gods. I wish to ensure that they remain free and safe.)
(Understandable.) The Soul King said, nodding as he recalled the fates of many Dragons. (They are sources of incredible power and can be made into powerful weapons while their energy can mutate both living and inanimate objects. An entire branch of Soul Society is dedicated to managing that energy and those affected by it, your assistance will be welcomed and they will aid you in kind. But first.) Before anyone could react, Tiamat was covered head to toe in black ink with the Soul King holding that massive calligraphy brush from his side. (Let's restore a bit of your godhood.) "Shin'uchi, Shirafude Ichimonji." The God said as the brush head shined white. In a single swipe he wrote on Tiamat a phrase in a long forgotten language, Mother of Dragons: Goddess Tiamat. "How are you feeling now, sister?"
"RAAHH!" She roared out, the inks sinking into her skin as she pulsated with power. Once she ended, she bore a calm smile. "Like my old self again." The two smiled to each other before the Soul King looked to his guard.
"Thank you for bringing my sister to me Ichigo. Now I ask you to set her up a home in the Soul Society, one where she can nurture and watch over the Dragons. That is her price for aiding you." The hybrid nodded.
"Understood. It's time I went back home anyway. It's getting late." Ichigo said as he started leaving, dreading the next mountain of paperwork ahead of him because of this.
(Kuoh: before dusk)
The city was peaceful, enjoying a sense of quiet while the Devils that ran the area were in the Devils' Underworld and before the Gotei agents present did their work. Nothing really unusual was happening anywhere... but only to the unobservant. Some might hear a swish of the wind or a burst of static, some might see something that was only there for an instant before it disappeared again, but there was one thing that was consistent throughout the day no matter who you asked. The laughter of children. What would later become a ghost story throughout Kuoh about the wandering spirits of children was actually just kids playing a simple game of tag, played at high speeds. Eleven blurs sped around the rooftops and streets of Kuoh, laughing as they chased one another until one stopped on a tower and revealed Ichinose Ishida, who was looking to the setting sun.
"Hey! It's getting late!" The young Quincy announced as the other ten stopped, revealing Ichigo's other children, young Yachiru, and a new girl in a gothic lolita dress with hair down to her hips.
"Ichinose's right." Qin said, pulling out a pocket watch to verify the time. "Truthfully, we should've stopped twenty minutes ago." She was silently berating herself because she was more responsible than this, but she was just having too much fun with her siblings and friends. Though knowing their mothers the real issue would be that they didn't tell anyone and not that they were out late... or in another city.
"Then let's hurry home guys." Kazui said before turning to his Arrancar brother and Shihouin twins. "Abareru, Yuuichi, Qin, you guys think you can sneak Kunou back into her room at the Kyoto castle?" He asked as Abareru smirked before opening a Garganta, the dark skinned pair already grabbing their Youkai sister and jumping through. "Everyone else, let's hurry before our moms find out. See you later Ophis, today was a lot of fun. And the offer to come play in Karakura town is open!" He told the gothic lolita girl before flashing away.
"Bye." The Dragon God said, lazily waving despite the other children being long gone. She let herself fall backwards, looking up to the sky as she reflected on the day. They met by chance, the green haired twins had her change her open blouse to something more tasteful as they did a little makeover before she could reveal her shape shifting powers, then they just chased after each other for hours. The entire experience was... refreshing, she thought. "Today was fun." She said, somewhat wishing that time would pass by quicker so they could play again.
(Omake!)
Serafall's Daydream
Heavy breathing and barely muffled moans filled the air, tracing back to a bed occupied by Gabriel and Serafall. Both were dressed in Sailor Moon cosplay; Gabriel as Moon herself with her hair tied in round tailed buns while Serafall dressed like Mars, though the Satan had an upside down black crescent mark on her tiara instead of a red jewel. Dressed was generous as well since Gabriel's breasts were exposed and at Serafall's mercy as she fondled them from behind, the Devil also kissing and licking a trail from the Angel's nape up to her ear with Gabriel trying and failing to hold back her pleasure. Soon one of Serafall's hands left the Seraph's chest and trailed down, pulling aside the crotch of the leotard and getting her hand soaked in 'Holy Water'.
"Well Prince Demande," Serafall said to Ichigo, who's hair was silver now with a similar crescent mark on his forehead, "she's ready for your love~." The hybrid smiled hungrily and stepped forward- [Dream Sequence End: Setting, the Kyoto Baths in Ch 8].
"And then he takes Gabriel passionately as I watch and pleasure myself before he takes me too." Serafall told Ichigo's harem during their bath, some listening in interest, Gabriel covering her face to hide her blush, and Harribel just letting the Devil play with her boobs.
"I... think I was expecting something more." Tatsuki said, gaining a few looks. "That seemed pretty tame by our standards." Serafall raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Orihime agreed, "once I had a duplicate of my body around and Tatsuki got in it and we had a three-way with Ichigo... Kind of want to do it again."
"Duplicate body? Three-way with it? How did that work?" Serafall asked, prompting a small explanation on Gigai. As they told the Devil what little they knew on the subject, her eyes grew wide and she made a personal promise to get access to it for one reason, one ultimate and very important reason. It was like the ultimate level of cosplay, why dress up as the character when you can wear an actual body? With that in mind, her thoughts were flooded with the possibilities she wanted to make reality.
(DxDiaries!)
Serafall Sitri
I hated the day I met him. It was an embarrassment to our kind to have this happen, to be reminded that some of the Devils were still willing to commit to such acts of atrocities. Unlike myself and my fellow Satans, they continued to ignore the reality of something eventually reacting and biting back harder than they could take. We lost too many Devils because of the foolish arrogance of our nobility and we're having a hard time replenishing our numbers already. Being virtually kicked out of an entire country did us no favors and this wasn't a battle that could be solved with magic or bloodshed, only politics.
We took some time to revise some laws and regulations in an effort to make it more difficult to attempt the things that led to the Nekoshou Incident before even attempting to try and speak with the Gotei on political terms, not that they made it any easier with any agents we've met keeping their distance and being stone faced. It was well after a year of this that Sirzechs managed to find Ichigo Kurosaki in the Celtic lands, for him it was a chance to settle some business outside of Devil interests and politics, and to warn him about our less than amicable members and their intentions.
That became another headache we've had to deal with, the "brilliant" ideas that were devised on how to handle the one they blamed for humiliating our race. Sirzechs took it upon himself and his peerage to prevent any would-be assassin, or similar plans regarding such, from leaving the Underworld to target him. I myself had the fortune of hearing a million other ideas of bribing Kurosaki with anything he might desire; wealth, women, anything that could've been offered, but they were constantly dismissed. Ajuka could tell at a glance that we had nothing he would've wanted that badly, something other "more experienced" Devils had a hard time believing.
On top of that, I'm still getting demands to have children and marriage proposals with pure bloods. I won't deny taking on a few lovers, or just fuck friends, in my life and I do understand the desire to see our species propagate, but I HATE having it forced on me! I'm one of the main leaders of our race and they insist on pressuring me like my authority doesn't exist! Half the reason I obsess over stuff like magical girls and anime is mainly to piss them off for catharsis, and it only got better for me after we got banished from Japan. They were annoyed by my otaku habits before, but now they were livid with it. Honestly the only thing that would make them more angry was if I personally courted Ichigo. Which is what I ended up doing.
Convincing him was the easy part, I was completely transparent about my aims of eventually using this relationship to further the Devils but mostly I wanted to piss off the elders. That was something he could understand, something about stuffy nobles back in the Soul Society, and we spent quite some time figuring out a game plan on this matter. During that time he took me back to Japan where I met his wives and explained the plan to them. They agreed to share him to an extent, but sex was off the table. A shame, it would've gone a long way in our scheme, but it wasn't a privilege I was allowed to have. Though Orihime did imply I might one day get that, but was vague about the conditions. I wouldn't think much about it, I had a party to attend and a prank to enact.
The looks on their faces was an image I would cherish for the rest of my long life, I legit thought they were about to have aneurysms from how much they were straining to not rage and curse. It was a dignified gathering of the higher ranked of our society and the impotent lectures I got was worth it to see them seethe so much but unable to do really act on it. Well, aside from trying to poison and curse him, but nothing seemed to effect him. I know I warned him this might happen, but it was still concerning to see him chug down enough poison to drop a Dragon. Anyways, it was that same day I introduced him more formally to my family.
Mom took a shine to him almost instantly because of course she would, she was one of the most loving and kind Devils alive. Dad kept himself composed and polite, he actually knew the real plan but he still held on to the hope that I might actually find a permanent husband. My darling little Sona, she was shy and tried to hide from him. Not unusual for children around that age and over the years she came to consider him her true brother, long before I even considered a proper engagement. She even referred to him as such when talking with some other nobles. I've wondered what was the deciding factor but my family accepted him and over the years my own faith in him became solid. When Sona told me about Kokabiel's attack, I wasn't concerned in the slightest. When I realized that, I also knew I fell in love with Ichigo Kurosaki.
Sona's Footnote
Over the years, I noticed Ichigo's presence managed to take my super childish and obsessive older sister and make her calm... calmER. For that, I love him as my brother... Plus, keeps the sis-con stuff to a minimum.